Snak

Du mener ikke, O Detonador har fornødne erfaring? Heller ikke til blot en udtagelse?

Han var vant starter i nogle af hjemlandets bedste klubber, topscorer i Campeonato Gaúcho og nu med mål i hver 3. kamp som primært andenangriber/kant.

Oscar har også langt fra præsteret seneste tid, men denne udtagelse kan jeg da i det mindste forstå pga. udsigterne - vi snakker trods alt over et år endnu. Det skal du huske.

Det er i orden at forsvare A Seleção, men baseret på Scolaris resultater og beslutninger må der være grænser. Det er en lukket klub, apropos snakken om Albiceleste.

Nok har Jonas ikke "navnet", "transfersummerne" eller måske endda "klubben", men han er så absolut en bedre spiller end dagens Dinho, Kaká og flere af de andre

Der er helt sikkert en lukket klub Scolari har sine "Dennis Rommedahl"er som Sabella, og Morten Olsen har deres. Dertil kommer at det nok ikke lige er tiden til at eksperimentere alt for meget for Scolari, han har satset på de rutineret kræfter og dem han kender i forvejen, han har jo allerede satset på Dante, næste kunne blive Santana fra Dortmund ? Shaktar drengene bør også få reelle chancer, det bare ikke tidspunktet - angrebsmæssigt scorer Fred målene, det er defensiven der halter i mine øjnene taket værre primært sideshow Bob og så at tage presset/fokus væk fra Neymar + rutinen og der har Jonas ikke den nødvendige erfaring pt...hvem er der ? Julio Cesar, Thiago Silva og ???

når det er sagt så er den herfra Neymar vel meget sigende...

Neymar: Nobody is guaranteed a place in Brazil squad

Neymar believes that no player is guaranteed a place in Brazil´s national team squad, regardless of how important they might be at the team.

The squad arrived yesterday in Belo Horizonte as Brazil get ready for Wednesday´s friendly against Chile.

The Santos star talked to reporters near Brazil´s hotel, he said: "Nobody is guaranteed a place in Brazil´s national team squad."

"Everyone here wants a place in the squad, this is another game we need to do well."

Neymar also expressed his happiness for the fans support, as young females ones known as neymarzetes were yelling his name. He said: "It´s nice to hear the supporters do that. They have to do their best to support as that´s what the players like. That encourage us and make us run a lot more."

The game against Chile will be played Wednesday night at the Mineirão stadium in Belo Horizonte. Brazil beat Bolivia 4-0 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra early this month.

Lækkert med San Lorenzos sejr på 3-1 over Arsenal Sarandi.

Det er iøvrigt tankevækkende at der er så store klubber at finde på de nederste pladser, i den argentinske clausura.

Fra nr. 15 til. 20 ser således ud:

15 Velez Sarsfield
16 Independiente
17 Boca Juniors
18 San Martin
19 Argentinos Juniors
20 Estudiantes

Det er vel kun San Martin, hvor man virkelig havde forventet at de ville ligge der. Så kan man så diskutere om det er de andre hold der er blevet stærkere, eller om det er de store klubber der er blevet lidt svagere. Det er nok en blanding.

Det hænder - pga af turneringstrukturen - Independiente er i krise og har været det over en del sæsoner - tror de rykker ned - Velez spiller Copa libbertadores også - hvor "Flaco" Gareca har været ude at sige Copaen har første prioritet. Boca har haften del skader og ville vinde " det hele " - presset har været for stort for Bianchi omend de stadigvæk er med i copaen....Argentinos juniors er vel så´en et lala-hold de sidste mange år og Estudiantes er vel i gang med en af deres dårligste sæsoner overhovedet + genopbygningsfase ....

Corinthians manager Tite admits intention to extend contract

Corinthians´ manager Tite has admitted his intention to extend his contract with the club. His current deal expires in December.

Tite has previously been linked to Inter Milan, but he is willing to stay for a longer time at the current world champions.

He was asked by Sportv if there was any contact from Inter Milan, he said: "I don´t have any contact with any [Inter Milan] director and I don´t consider this possibility."

The manager added: "Why wait to be invited to remain at Corinthians until 2014? Why not solve this issue now? People have to look back, see the quality of the work, and see that it´s possible to continue."

When asked if he move abroad or manage the national team, he said: "Good jobs open many possibilities, but I´ll not push it."

Corinthians are in good form in 2013, as they have advanced to the round of 16 in Copa Libertadores and to the São Paulo State League quarter-finals.

Neymars statement er vel blot et ønske om at gøre op med den lukkede fest for at komme til at spille sammen med bedre spillere og derved øge Brasiliens muligheder.
- Jeg køber ikke den med erfaringen, ikke sidestillet Jonas. Oscar derimod.

Vi ved jo alle, at Neymars udtalelse ikke har stemt overens med virkeligheden hidtil under Scolari, som forstokket stadig lever i år 2002. Ved derfor ikke, hvor sigende kommentaren er, medmindre du ser den som ironisk med et skjult budskab - Brasilien skal agere, inden det bliver pinligt på den verdensrangliste.

Jeg mener netop, det er nu, med godt et år, at det er sidste udkald herfor. Der er tid og ingen presserende kval-kampe.

Offensiven har nu heller ikke været velsmurt. Husker, at den nu skadede Marcelo måtte afgøre tingene på egen hånd i en af de seneste landskampe (Rusland?), og med det rigtige internationale landshold har Scolari endnu ikke scoret mere end 2 mål i eller vundet en kamp.

Neymars statement er vel blot et ønske om at gøre op med den lukkede fest for at komme til at spille sammen med bedre spillere og derved øge Brasiliens muligheder.
- Jeg køber ikke den med erfaringen, ikke sidestillet Jonas. Oscar derimod.

Umiddelbart tænker jeg da at Neymar, Paulinho, Oscar, Lucas Moura, har behov eller brug for rutineret kræfter at læne sig op ad ....de har brug for Kaka og/eller Ronaldinho ...der duer en Jonas altså ikke han har ikke talentet eller erfaring til at kunne udfylde den rolle - når det er sagt så kan han da muligvis komme med som 3 eller 4 valgs angriber.

Vi ved jo alle, at Neymars udtalelse ikke har stemt overens med virkeligheden hidtil under Scolari, som forstokket stadig lever i år 2002. Ved derfor ikke, hvor sigende kommentaren er, medmindre du ser den som ironisk med et skjult budskab - Brasilien skal agere, inden det bliver pinligt på den verdensrangliste.

Hehehe jo men nu har Scolari også haft hvad ? 5 månder i spidsen for landsholdet...hans primære opgave var at gøre landsholdet klar til Confed cup her i Juni. Vedrørende Landsholdets placering så skyldes den jo primært mangel på kvalifikationskampe Mano brugte oceaner af tid på at spille venskabskampe mod små nationer Gabon, Egypten, Japan, Danmark, Sverige osv - det var først da man mødte Colombia, det gik op for folk hvor han var henne i processen.

Offensiven har nu heller ikke været velsmurt. Husker, at den nu skadede Marcelo måtte afgøre tingene på egen hånd i en af de seneste landskampe (Rusland?), og med det rigtige internationale landshold har Scolari i år endnu ikke scoret mere end 2 mål i eller vundet en kamp.

Men det var jo forventeligt taget i betragtning hvor Mano havde efterladt holdet, og med den manglende kvalitet i de modstandere man hidtidig havde mødt...jeg tror slet ikke det ser så sort ud...

Hvordan synes du da, det ser ud med at være klar til Confederations Cup? Hånden på hjertet.
- Mere lyst end sort?

Med en ny træner af Scolaris kapacitet må man dog forvente en form for "trodsreaktion" i resultaterne, straks han kommer til. Dét er udeblevet, værd at bemærke.

Jeg er ganske optimistisk, særligt nu vi har valgt kvalitative modstandere fremfor at køre den her Harlem globetrotters stil som under Mano, vi kan se hvor problemerne er - vi har noget at arbejde med. de næste tre landskampe hedder Chile, England , Frankrig....det bliver godt med god modstand.

Vi har spillet 4 landskampe under Scolari vundet 1 , tabt 1 og spillet 2 uafgjorte - alle 4 på udebane, Europa touren lå skidt i forhold til den brasilianske sæsonstart, så spillerne var ikke i topform... det er ok - Dede og Thiago Silva burde være første valg i det centerforsvar - en konstellation som af gode grunde ikke kunne praktiseres mod de europæiske hold. Så mangler vi at gøre noget ved Avenida Brasil i begge sider - og lidt rutine fremme på banen det er der Hesten og kaká kommer ind

Soccer roundup: U. Católica triumph makes for four-way title race

Defeat for leaders Unión Española allows Universidad Católica to move within one point after beating Colo Colo in a heated local derby.

Universidad Católica 1-0 Colo Colo

After a brief resurgence in the last two games, Colo Colo reverted to inconsistency Sunday, crashing to a home defeat to local rival Universidad Católica. “Los Cruzados” now move into second place.

Although lacking in goals, the first half was by no means short of clear-cut opportunities. Universidad Católica’s keeper Christopher Toselli in particular was responsible for at least two spectacular acrobatic saves to keep out Colo Colo efforts that seemed destined for the net.

The away side went on to claim the only goal of the match in the 73rd minute. Fernando Cordero whipped in an outswinging corner from the left, and an unmarked Hans Martínez leapt to volley the ball home.

A “clásico” in Santiago is rarely short of controversy and this encounter was no different. On 90 minutes, Colo Colo forward Felipe Flores challenged Toselli for an aerial ball in the box, however he led with his boot, poleaxing Toselli in the process and provoking a brawl involving players from both sides. Replays seemed to show that Flores had eyes only for the ball, but his challenge was undoubtedly reckless and the second half substitute was handed a straight red card.

Young Universidad Católica forward Nicolás Castillo, whose promising displays have earnt him interest from teams in Europe, was also sent off for his part in the melee.

This impressive away win against Colo Colo is undoubtedly a show of intent from Universidad Católica, now firmly in this season’s title race. With the victory, the team leapfrogs rival Universidad de Chile into second place, just one point short of leaders Unión Española. “Los Cruzados” show no signs of flagging in a campaign in which they are competing admirably on two fronts, having also earned a place in the final of the Copa Chile. Colo Colo, meanwhile, drops down to ninth place.

O’Higgins 2-2 Universidad de Chile

This tie in Rancagua was crucial in the context of the title race, with both sides very much within reach of the leaders. However, the intriguing match culminated in a draw — a result that leaves both teams still in the picture.

O’Higgins’ stadium in Rancagua is currently closed for refurbishment, so this match was controversially chosen to take place in Santiago, leaving “La U” as the de facto home side. O’Higgins were the team to take the lead, however, and on 21 minutes Braulio Leal put in a pinpoint cross from the right, leaving Carlos Escobar with the simplest of headers to make it 1-0.

Isaac Díaz levelled the game for “La U” in the 46th minute with his first of two goals. After clever work down the right, Charles Aránguiz fizzed in a precise cutback, and Díaz made no mistake with the finish.

After 56 minutes, O’Higgins was gifted a golden opportunity to regain their lead, as Gonzalo Barriga was tripped inside the box by Universidad de Chile goalkeeper Johnny Herrera. Herrera was left incredulous by the decision to award a penalty and the resulting yellow card. Braulio Leal’s spot kick was as calm as it gets, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and placing the ball into the bottom right corner.

“La U” fought back again however, with Isaac Díaz getting on the end of a perfect free kick to head in his second goal of the match.

The result leaves both Universidad de Chile and O’Higgins with 24 points, in third and fourth place respectively, however both gained ground on the leaders as a result of Unión Española’s loss.

Unión La Calera 2-1 Unión Española

Unión Española was sprung a surprise in La Calera with a result that could put a dent in its title hopes.

It took just three minutes for the home side to open the scoring, when Rubén Farfán whipped in an inviting cross from the right, which the Uruguayan Maximiliano Bajter headed in calmly.

Later in the first half, the usually clinical Patricio Rubio contributed quite possibly the most inexplicable miss of the season. After rounding the goalkeeper with ease, Rubio managed to miss an open goal from five yards out, leaving the forward with his head in his hands in disbelief.

Sebastián Jaime eventually found the equalizer for Unión Española on 37 minutes, seizing upon Patricio Rubio’s rebounded shot and passing the ball untroubled into the empty net.

However, the winner was struck by Leandro Benegas after 67 minutes, leaving Unión Española players dejected. After being released through on goal, Benegas’ initial effort was clawed away by goalkeeper Diego Sánchez, however he struck the rebound past the despairing dive of a Unión Española defender and into the net.

Unión Española is now three matches without a win and seems to be losing momentum just as the season nears its most crucial stage. As it stands however, they cling on to top spot by a point.

Cobreloa 2-1 San Marcos de Arica

Cobreloa maintain an outside chance of challenging for the title after a home win against San Marcos de Arica.

The match was largely a dull affair until the 78th minute, when Gastón Lezcano earned a penalty for the home side. Argentine Sebastián Pol stepped up and struck ruthlessly to score his first of two goals in the game.

If his first effort was a display of clinical power, Pol’s second goal on 90 minutes was pure finesse. The forward skipped past a San Marcos defender as if he wasn’t there and placed his finish unerringly into the far corner despite a tight angle. This was his ninth goal of the campaign, leaving him second in the top goal scorer charts.

San Marcos got a goal back in added time when Daniel Mustafá scrambled the ball in from a corner, but it proved to be merely a consolation as Cobreloa secured a hard-fought victory.

The triumph for the home side ended a six-game winless streak and, with just five points separating them from the leaders, Cobreloa will hope to gain further momentum going into the last five games of the Torneo Transición.

San Marcos de Arica, meanwhile, lies at the bottom of the cumulative points table, some way behind nearest rivals Antofagasta. It now seems inevitable that the side from the North will be relegated back to the second division after just one season in Chile’s top flight.

Santiago Wanderers 2-1 Audax Italiano

Santiago Wanderers struck clinically to secure the game’s opener on 8 minutes, when Leandro Torres finished off a slick counter-attack with a wonderfully placed shot.

Wanderers’ found a second goal just three minutes later, when Nicolás López latched onto a precise long pass, lofted the ball over an onrushing goalkeeper and poked it into the open net.

Sebastián Sáez continued his outstanding goalscoring form after 43 minutes, reducing the deficit for Audax with his 11th goal of the season so far. He has scored a staggering 65 per cent of his team’s total goals. Fabián Benítez released the striker with a lofted through ball and Sáez responded with a phenomenal finish across the goalkeeper on the half volley.

After the halftime break, goalscorer Leandro Torres was given a second yellow card, with the referee deeming his protests far too vociferous after committing a foul.

This was Santiago Wanderers’ third win in a row, and it leaves them in sixth place, with a reachable gap of six points between it and Unión Española.

Cobresal 2-0 Huachipato

Huachipato’s woes continued in the wake of its dramatic exit from the Copa Libertadores, as the side from Talcahuano crashed to a disappointing defeat against struggling Cobresal.

The away side won a penalty after 25 minutes when Mariano Torres was upended by goalkeeper Nery Veloso inside the box. Torres stepped up to take the penalty himself and converted smartly into the bottom right corner.

Huachipato’s misery was compounded in the 56th minute as Cobresal struck again. Jean Paul Pineda floated in a cross from the left and Álvaro Navarro stretched to score with a fantastic volley into the far corner.

The win, unbelievably, is Cobresal’s first of the season, and takes its points tally to a still atrocious five. Its spot at the foot of the Torneo Transición is now occupied by Iquique, who it has leapfrogged by means of superior goal difference.

Palestino 2-1 Everton

Palestino broke the deadlock after 49 minutes, as Lucas Simón found himself in the right place at the right time to head in Sergio López’s rebounded shot.

López notched a goal of his own after 56 minutes, loitering at the back post in anticipation of a cross from the left and finishing calmly with a half volley once it reached him.

Everton pulled one back through an 83rd minute penalty from Ángel Rojas, but couldn’t complete the comeback.

Both sides, for this season at least, are languishing in mid-table obscurity, being neither in contention for the all-important top three places nor in danger of relegation.

Ñublense 1-0 Iquique

Iquique continued its miserable run of nine games without a league win, slipping to the foot of the table in the process.

Andrés Reyes scored the game’s only goal on 24 minutes to secure a win for Ñublense, crouching low to head in unchallenged from a corner.

With its victory, the away side keeps itself in contention for a Copa Sudamericana place. However the gap of five points that separates them from Universidad de Chile, who currently occupy third place, may well be too much to overcome.

Rangers 4-1 Antofagasta

Rangers captain Javier Capelli claimed possibly the goal of the weekend to put his side ahead on 13 minutes, collecting the ball on the right, cutting inside and unleashing an unstoppable 25-yard drive into the top corner.

Adrián Rojas doubled their lead just after half time, pouncing on a loose ball in the box, seemingly from an offside position, and poking it home.

Rangers’ third goal was another impressive display of technique, with Gervasio Nuñez clipping a free kick in the 55th minute just outside the penalty area into an unreachable corner of the net, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

Javier Capelli, Rangers’ first goal scorer, had the misfortune of netting at both ends of the pitch. After 55 minutes Antofagasta swung in a dangerous cross from the right which goalkeeper Juan Luís Mora couldn’t reach, and the ball deflected unfavourably off the fullback and trickled in.

His own-goal had no effect on the result however, and three minutes later Rangers extended their lead further through a shot bundled in from Sebastián Sciorilli at the back post.

Antofagasta is another side that will be glancing nervously at the cumulative points table. As it stands it will face a playoff at the end of the season against the runners up of the second division to determine its status at Chile’s highest level.

Tigres, Atlas, Santos and America lock playoff spot in Liga MX

With only two weeks left in the regular season, the playoff picture is coming into focus in Liga MX. The top contenders are priming to hit the end of the season in sync and with good momentum.

Tigres, for example, looked determined to overcome their first loss of the season. UANL managed to do just that in fine style, breaking out of their recent run of ties on their home ground with an emphatic 3-1 victory over hapless Pachuca. Veteran Carlos Salcido led the way with a pair of goals. The win kept Tigres atop the league table with a single point to spare.


http://www.youtube.com/w…5Ywh3cf_ZoA

Atlas is the club trailing close behind, thanks to a narrow triumph over Guadalajara. Luckily for Atlas and lamentably for Chivas, an apparent handball that could have led to the equalizing goal was missed by the referee and his assistants.

http://www.youtube.com/w…bT0h9VS9WI4

Club America had the same score in a 1-0 win over Pumas, but the glamour club of Liga MX was far more compact and organized in pressing their opponents, who ended the game with ten players. The rivalry between the two clubs may not be in the top echelon of Liga MX, but it is a fierce one nevertheless. There is little doubt that many Pumas players would like to revenge the loss to America if and when they meet in the Liguilla playoffs. For now, however, Club America gloats with an assured postseason ticket, while Pumas must still wait for their guaranteed entry.


http://www.youtube.com/w…Nw6F-kCG5g4

Santos Laguna, however, is assured of the playoffs. There was also an extra flourish to the game that got them there, because the win for Santos came at the expense of Monterrey, the same club Santos Laguna faces in a two-legged final to determine the CONCACAF Champions League crown. Thanks in large part to the impressive goalkeeping skills of Oswaldo Sanchez, Santos Laguna can now, presumably, kick back a bit and focus on those matches, while Monterrey, in contrast, has the double worry of defending the CCL trophy and fighting to make the playoffs still. With only 20 points, it’s doable, but definitely not easy.

http://www.youtube.com/w…YCRo6jkE_VI

Yet at least Monterrey is still in contention. The defending Apertura champions, the Xolos of Tijuana, look as if they won’t even make the playoffs after losing to Morelia in a messy match. The hectic schedule of some Liga MX teams seems to have caught up with this still-evolving organization. Ironically, Tijuana is still alive in the prestigious Copa Libertadores tournament, but domestically, they haven’t made the cut.

http://www.youtube.com/w…-vwFKZNNMSc

The clubs at the bottom of the table are still dangerous, partly because playing for pride is an exercise in freedom, and a return to the roots of the game. Jaguares and Leon produced a four-goal slugfest and Atlante relished the role of spoiler, turning in a tidy 2-0 win over Puebla that doused that club’s hopes of playoff action completely.

http://www.youtube.com/w…v3-ujA9trho

http://www.youtube.com/w…9RX-aiM7ar8

The next two weeks will bring the most drama for the clubs who aren’t at the top or the bottom, but those right near the middle line that determines life in the playoffs or death to any championship chance with the end of the regular season. For these clubs, the day of judgment may not come until the bitter end of the final minute of play.

Of these contenders, Cruz Azul, along with Morelia, seems primed to break out ahead of the pack and continue their momentum into the playoffs. Los Cementeros looked in fine form with a 2-0 defeat of Toluca. Cruz Azul have a new concentration and spring in their step since their Copa MX win. That’s just what is needed to not only take on the win-or-go-home gauntlet of the playoffs, but also to get there in the first place.

http://www.youtube.com/w…9Uak5JC4sy8

kan ikke huske om vi har haft ham her....har forlænget kontrakten med 5 år...

Rafinha: PSG´s latest Brazilian fancy?

Name: Rafinha (Rafael Lima Pereira)
Age: 19 Club: CR Flamengo
Position: Forward Nationality: Brazilian

Rafinha could be the next great young Brazil talent to make his way to Paris.
There was speculation recently that Paris Saint-Germain may part company with sporting director Leonardo at the end of the season, with his initial role of raising the club´s profile now deemed complete. However, whatever the issues may be, the suave former wing-back certainly has his uses.

Ligue 1 is still coming to terms with the recent arrival of a potential superstar, with a wave of affection towards PSG´s Lucas Moura emerging from all directions. The former Sao Paulo youngster has been sensational since his arrival, winning the club´s Player of the Month award for January as reward for his immediate impact. The club´s Qatari owners parted with an enormous transfer fee to beat Manchester United to his signature last summer and the Brazil international has quickly demonstrated why they did.

Leonardo was crucial to Lucas´ signing, just as he had been in the capture of Thiago Silva earlier in the summer. It goes without saying that the massive financial rewards offered attract players to the club, but the presence of the respected 1994 World Cup winner has been a large contributing factor in the club recruiting true leading lights of the Brazilian game. Rumour has it that, enthused by the success of their most recent acquisition from the country, another rising star has been identified for addition to the PSG stable.

News broke on Brazilian sports media website Lancenet! on Monday that Flamengo were reportedly close to agreeing a new contract with 19-year-old forward Rafinha, who has breathed new life into the club´s weary supporters. The news, though, was tempered by the suggestion that Paris Saint-Germain were now tracking his progress carefully. A 40-million euro buyout clause is thought to be included in the proposed new terms, but the Rubro-Negro hierarchy will know that the French club could entice their player at the drop of a hat if they so wished.

It is for this reason that the Brazilian club are so rushed to propose a new deal. Rafinha has shot from youth team prospect to important member of the first-team since the turn of the year and his contract is yet to reflect this change. Besides that, his current contract will expire in March 2014, meaning their “next big thing” could potentially agree terms with another club from October and leave Flamengo close to penniless. It is not surprising that the board have made his renewal a priority.

So, what of Rafinha? Long discussed by those who have half an eye on youth football in Brazil, the forward has found himself somewhat overshadowed at Flamengo by the stream of young talents promoted to first-team level ahead of him. Adryan is without doubt the club´s most hyped prospect, but the likes of Negueba, Thomas, Galhardo and Muralha have all been promoted to first-team level ahead of the forward and to mixed results.

That is not to say the "Neymar of the Gavea" has not had hype of his own, simply that he hasn´t been afforded the same first-team exposure that many other members of the 2011 Copa Sao Paulo winning side have. Now in the first-team setup, he has superseded all his contemporaries to become a key member of the post-Vagner Love and Ronaldinho Flamengo side.

“He was the one who had no chance” was the view of Zico earlier this month, who expressed regret that it has taken so long for Rafinha to be handed his first-team opportunity at the club. Imdeed, it had been Zico who, in 2010, played a major role in bringing the youngster to the club from local side CFZ.

That may not be his only contribution to the youngster´s career. He is also responsible for the interest of PSG.

Through his friendship with Leonardo, it was also Zico who has helped bring the young Flamengo talent to wider attention. The same reports that revealed PSG´s interest also stated that Leonardo had intended to take Rafinha to Milan three years ago, on the advice of his former colleague. The former Milan director is said to have tracked the youngster since that initial tip-off.

With Rafinha having made a first-team breakthrough, he has upped his interest in the forward. Leonardo´s impressive list of contacts, as well as his fame in Brazil, surely make his services almost irreplaceable to the expanding PSG empire.

Rafinha, along with several other new faces in the Flamengo side, has helped transform what was an often dull and predictable side in 2012 into a vibrant, dynamic attacking unit. It is only the state championship and the squad still has major deficiencies, but victories over major rivals Botafogo and Vasco indicate that there may be some substance to the recent praise they have received.

An upturn in results has given fans a positive start to what looked to be a difficult year ahead, but it is Rafinha who they have attached themselves to as the symbol of this new side. Lightning fast and willing to run at his opposite number, he is a crowd-pleaser and, thus far, appears to back up his flashes of brilliance with an end product -- so often the scourge of fast, young attackers worldwide.

Almost 20, he cuts a remarkably slight figure and will no doubt look to add bulk to his slender frame in due course, but there are enough indications to suggest that he has the basic attributes to go far.

Whether he will continue as a centre-forward in the long term is doubtful. While he is a good finisher, he has already been moved into a secondary striking role atthe senior level while a wide role could also be a possibility. Rafinha links play well and has shown himself to be composed when crossing and shooting, but it is his close control at pace that sets him apart from the majority of his peers. Defenders are simply left trailing in his wake when he is given space to get up to full speed.

It may ultimately work in his favour that he has avoided the hype and rushed first-team introductions that appear to have set back the development of some of his colleagues. Rafinha has thus been allowed to develop at his own rate and now emerges on the first-team scene a more mature player than may otherwise have been the case.

For Flamengo, the alarm bells are now ringing. As Zico suggests, he appears to have been undervalued and his rapidly expiring contract is now a pressing concern. A move to Paris must be considered unlikely, given the proximity of a suggested renewal, but it is just another reinforcement of the high esteem in which Rafinha is being held.